Zetterberg Signed

September 7, 2005
6:15pm

So I was wrong, my gut feeling was wrong. Thank God. The Red Wings signed Henrik Zetterberg today to a four year, 2.65 million dollar deal. Zetterberg is a crucial part of this team. He can make the difference between a Stanley Cup and no playoffs at all. Zetterberg is going to help a lot during the shootout and this can help the team overall. Zetterberg signed for less than most of us expected. Since Datsyuk wanted somewhere around 6 million, a lot of people assumed Zetterberg would want around the same thing. Considering they are both the same caliber player, either one was asking too much or the other was asking too little. I’m actually excited that Zetterberg signed for so little. It shows a glimmer of hope that he’s not just in it for the money. Datsyuk on the other hand, I’m not so sure of. Today was an important day for the Red Wings. Today signified the Wings are on the right track and have the potential to be good this year.
     The worry yesterday was money under the cap and that it would take a lot to sign, Zetterberg, but as I sit here tonight I’m not as worried. Listening to The Big Show’s interview with Ken Holland, I feel better. This season is about feeling it out. It’s going to be an interesting season.  Ken Holland said that they have 9 forwards under contract and they want to carry 13. So they still have a little bit of work to do, but there is young talent that Holland is looking to sign. So he knows what he is doing. Maybe Ken Holland just has a soothing affect. Maybe he just knows all the right words to say, but I am much less apprehensive about the future of the Red Wings. Thinking about it today the Red Wings have four centers, and still have a good list of players, including Maltby, Draper, Shannahan, Yzerman, Williams, Lang, Franzen, Schneider, Chelios, and Lidstrom. So yes, the Wings still have a little work to do, but Holland sounds like he knows what he’s doing, and honestly I trust the man. The Wings have 5.35 million left under the cap to spend, so more than likely this space on the team is going to be filled with young talent, and maybe one seasoned veteran. It’s going to be a great year.